The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-11-04
a. T. STEWARDS BODY.

IG0llk HOSSNOiJ
6ody.
The narrative says: The remains were
buried in St. Marks C~hurchyard, corner
of Second avenue and Tenth street, IN an
UNDERGROUND vault, the entrance to whlr''
was covered by a tlagstOne, which, In turn,
was sodded over level with the surround
ing surface. SO that thore was no outward
evidence Of it's location. Judge Hilton had
discovered evidences that the vault had
been tempered with and set n watch; but,
as nothing further transpired, the watch
was withdrawn, and three nights later
that is, on the night OF Nov. ., or
the morning OF Nov. 7, 1S7S,-the van
was broken open and tho remains stolen.
Judge Hilton was firmly OF the opinion
that the sexton or his assistant had Gunty
knowledge OF the transaction; but this was
never shown. The judge at once offered a
reward Of $25, 600 for the return OF the
body and the conviction OF the grave rob-
bers. The first clew came from Gen. Pat
rick II. Jones, eX.postmaster OF New York,
who notified Walling that an ex.soldier
who had served under him claimed to
know something
ABOUT THE STEWART BODY
and with proper encouragement would
give information leading to it's recovery.
The superintendent submitted the offer to
Judge Hilton, who declared he never would
pay one cent for Mr.. Stewards bones un-
less they came accompanied by the thieves
in irons. Gen. Jones was persistent
and wanted to work up the case Inc ar
range for buying the body. He showed
letters from the thieves and n few days
later gave to the police a package expressed
to b i'm from Boston containing a coffin
plate which was identified by the engraver
l. l-l IL r. $500.
plete their Identification the robbers sent
a piece OF paper that fitted exactly the
hole in the velvet cover OF the coffin
cut out by the thieves when the
body was removed. This is now
in the hands OF Sexton Hamill, and
the coffin plate is at police headquarters.
Judge Hilton remained un~alterable, and
the case was dropped by the authorities,
but continued by private detectives. Mrs.
Stewart differed with her counsel and
strongly wished to recover the body.
Learning this TACT the robbers opened
correspondence with her directly. No
trace OF the body or thieves were found
until January, 1882, when Gen. Jones
called at headquarters. He brought with
him a parcel which contained the
silver knobs and several OF the handles be-
lon sing to the coffin in which the body had
been buried. He also showed some letters
which he had received. They purported to
have been written in canada, and were
by Henry G.. Romano" With the
first letter a hundred dollar bill was in
closed as a retainer for him 10 act as at
for the return OF the body upon the
OF $3.50, 900. The letter then
on
TO TELL Il HOUR
which the body was taken; how il was
in a zinc-lined trunk and taken
Canada ana buried. 1t said
me features wore perfectly pre-.
'erVed except the eyes. This was the
etter which enclosed the bit OF paper cor.
responding with the size OF the hole in the
'eiVet, and promised. If further proof was
'equired, to send tho roffin plate upon the
Insertion in the New York Herald OF these
words: 'Canada-Send P.-Counsel." This
vas done, and under date OF Boston. Jan.
H. 1879, a letter came saying the plate
'as sent from there to avoid the scrutiny
customs officials on the Canadian bor-
Ter. The plate was receiYedand identified.
zen. Jones WAS instructed, in case The reIa.
ives were ready to negotiate for the re-
nains to insert this personal in
he Herald. ''Canada-Win do bust
.ess, counsel" This was done at Judge
tilbon's request. The reply which came
Boston on the 18th Of February set
orth the terms upon which SUhe body
fouid oe restored. They were as follows:
tlrst-The amount to be paid shall be
200, 600.
Second-The body will be delivered to
.ourself and Judge Hilton within twenty.
I've miles OF the city OF Montreal, and 10
'ther person shall be present.
1hird-Ihe money to be placed in your
lands or under your control until Judge
Hilton Is fully satisfed, when 8 win dc.
lyer 1t to my representative.
Fourth-Both parties to maintain for.
YER an unbroken silence in regard to the
transaction.
REFUSED TO AGREE
Judge Hilton refused to agree to the
proposed, and further declined To
iegotlate through the medium OF Person
y. fsounlalne was then written TO, Gen.
ones informing him OF the condition oil
..nIngs. his reply was soon received ~.
ierlng Mr.. Jones to break OF ali communi.
'ation with Judge Hilton and omen naoo.
'lations with Mrs. Stewart. No notice
sas taken OF this request, but In March
ludge Hilton made an offer Of S25. COO Ia
ne body, Gen. Jones made the fart kpown
q hounlaine, who respectfully but 6rmlv
leciined. This closed the -orrespondence
Inc robbers becoming d-iscouraoed
.oM DIered TO sell the BODY for
'lOO,0 g Mrs. Stewart was willing and
'rdered her Representatives to 4 Ina
mount. They delayed matters until lbe
lgurc was reduced is $40, 600, which was
lccepted: The conditions OF delivery were
evere. The messenger with the monev
vas to leave New York City1at 10 ps ~
1one n g = horse wagor, and drive into
vest Chester county along d lonely road
snlch was indicated on a man sent by the
.nieyes- Sometime before morning. II tho
nan was acting IN good fai.h, and Vas not
accompanied or followed BY detectives. ne
.onld ne met and given further i~nstruc-
IONS Aynung relative Of Mrs. stewards
the hazardous errand. Two or
nree times during the night he was certain
nes ne was closely watched, but IL 4 5
a MASKED HonsEArAN RODE o..
ave the signal agreed on and turned he
'uggy up 2 lonely lane. The strange VIZ.
Tor mere lett him, directing him to drive
q AZ the end Of another mile he became
ware that another wagon was bIocking
re way. He paused. A masked man
r,omptly appeared and brought forward
Dag 20 his buggy, SAVING ssHere it;s.